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Service Dog Resources
Everything you need to know about service dog laws, your rights as a handler, and how to navigate life with a service animal.
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Types of Service Dogs
Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks directly related to their handler's disability. Under the ADA, a service dog qualifies based on its training — not on registration or certification.
Know Your Rights
Public Access (ADA)
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are allowed in all areas of businesses and public places that are open to the general public. This includes restaurants, hotels, stores, hospitals, and transportation facilities. A business may only ask two questions:
- Is this a service dog required because of a disability?
- What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
Businesses cannot ask about your disability, require documentation, or charge any extra fees. A service dog may only be removed if it is out of control and you take no action to correct its behavior, or if the dog is not housebroken.
Air Travel (Air Carrier Access Act)
Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), airlines must allow trained service dogs to accompany their handlers in the cabin. Airlines may require advance notice and documentation for travel. We recommend notifying your airline at the time of booking and ensuring your dog is clearly identified with a vest or patch.
Housing (Fair Housing Act)
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for service animals — even in buildings with a no-pet policy. Landlords cannot charge pet deposits or extra fees for service animals, and they cannot deny housing solely on the basis of a service animal.
Transportation (ADA & FTA)
The ADA requires that taxi cabs, ride-share drivers (Uber, Lyft), and public transportation providers allow service animals. Drivers cannot refuse service to passengers with service animals, and they cannot charge additional fees.
What SDRA Registration Is — and Isn't
Registering your service dog with Service Dog Registration of America provides useful documentation and identification materials, but it does not legally make your dog a service animal. Service dog status under the ADA is determined by training, not registration.
By registering, you will receive quarterly updates on federal law changes, access to our ID lookup database (useful in emergencies), informational emails about service dog trainers and programs, and discounts on service dog supplies.
Service Dog Registration of America is not a governmental agency and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) and a Service Dog?
Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, or calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack. Service animals are working animals — not pets. The task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person's disability. A dog whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support does not qualify as a service animal under the ADA.
Read MoreCan I take my service dog on an airplane?
Yes. Many airlines will ask that you notify them in advance of travel that a service dog will be accompanying you. We recommend informing the airline at booking that you will have a service dog with you and let them know that your dog will be clearly marked.
Read MoreIs there a size limit for service dogs?
No. The ADA prohibits any discrimination, so the size of your dog means nothing. Airlines are required to allow the dog to accompany you to your seat regardless of the size of your service dog.
Read MoreCan any animal be a service animal?
No. Under the ADA, service animals are limited to dogs and miniature horses.
How do I get my service dog certified?
According to the ADA, if a person has a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability they may qualify for a service dog. The service dog certification process takes place when training the dog or miniature horse to make sure it can care for its owner's specific medical needs. There is also an additional training process that takes place between the service animal and owner.
Read MoreDo service dogs bark or growl?
Service dogs must be well behaved and trained to be in public places and should be well acclimated around people and other dogs. A service dog can be trained to bark should their handler need assistance.
Is this site affiliated with a government agency?
No. This site is not associated with any government agency. Its purpose is to educate the public and help service dog owners purchase supplies for their service dog.
Can landlords, restaurants, or public places refuse service dogs?
A service animal is not a pet. They are a protected class of animal that do not have to abide by a business or landlord's no-pet policies as long as they are well behaved.
Do service dogs fly for free?
Yes, service dogs are able to fly for free.
Read MoreWhat are businesses allowed to ask when I have my service dog with me?
Businesses are limited in the questions they can ask service dog owners. A business is ONLY allowed to ask the following two questions: (1) Is your dog a service dog? (2) What duties does he/she perform? They may NOT ask what your disability is or anything else.
Read MoreWhat recourse do I have if a business does NOT follow the law?
Businesses that do not follow ADA laws are setting themselves up for a potential lawsuit. We recommend first writing a letter to the manager/owner of the establishment letting them know about your situation and try to resolve the matter in a quick and direct manner. In the worst case scenario, you can always find a lawyer that specializes in ADA cases.
Read MoreCan a business ever ask me to leave when I'm with my service dog?
The only time you may be asked to leave an establishment is if your dog is causing a disturbance — barking, growling, being unruly, or urinating/defecating inside. Other than those reasons, the business may not ask you to leave if your dog is not being a nuisance.
Read MoreIs my service dog a tax write off?
Yes. The IRS allows deductions for expenses of caring for a service dog. This includes all of your expenses from vet bills, to food, to equipment and training.
Read MoreIs my dog required to wear any identifying clothes or a harness?
No. The ADA does not require service dogs to wear any type of clothing or harnesses. However, we strongly encourage this to save potential headaches in public.
Read MoreCan I charge a maintenance or cleaning fee for people who own service dogs?
No. Individuals who rely on service animals cannot be charged an extra fee that is not typically charged to non-disabled individuals.
Are service animals allowed in taxi cabs or Ubers/Lyfts?
Yes. Drivers of cabs or ride shares cannot discriminate against individuals with disabilities and cannot charge higher rates for passengers that rely on service animals.
How do I register my service dog?
Fill out the short form on our homepage and you will be registered in our email database to receive quarterly updates on legal changes, dog training programs, and fun and useful tips for service dogs and pet owners. Once registered you will also be able to purchase products on our site that assist with service dog identification. Simply registering or purchasing products does not make your pet into a service dog.
Read MoreLooking for Emotional Support Animal Resources?
If your animal provides emotional support but is not trained to perform a specific task, it may qualify as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) rather than a service dog. ESAs have different rights and registration requirements.
Visit ESARegistration.org